In the past, you only saw concrete floors in warehouses or industrial settings. Now, decorative concrete floors are popping up in unfamiliar places such as in a variety of retail stores, airports, casinos and residential settings.

What makes them so popular?

While the beauties of decorative concrete floors, along with the ability to customize the floors, strike the initial interest in concrete flooring, there are other benefits as well. Concrete floors are cost effective, comparing favorably to wood flooring or ceramic tile. The most elaborate concrete floors, even overlayed floors with extensive shapes and multiple colors are less expensive than terrazzo or marble. Often the difference is substantial.

Concrete floors are also clean. One customer with severe allergies had us remove the carpet and stain her floor. As soon as she walked in the door she said she could tell a difference in the air with over 1400 sq. ft. of relatively new carpet removed. Concrete floors are an allergen- free substitute for carpeting in a living room or entry way and make a grand impression with unlimited design possibilities. They are also durable enough for heavy traffic.

The processes: Acid Stain, which is one of the more common applications as seen on television decorating shows and magazines, is a special reactive stain that is formulated to chemically react with the concrete's lime content. It lightly etches and bonds color into the concrete surface. This method can be used on new or old concrete slabs, interior or exterior. However, the results are somewhat unpredictable and may vary widely from project to project. Mottling that occurs in the stain process can create rich tones and complex, almost translucent textures to mimic granite, marble, or to highlight natural variegations in the concrete. Visual texture can be applied. Patches or cracks in existing slabs will not be concealed, but add character and uniqueness. If you need to cover cracks or surface damage, the floor can be overlayed with a skim coat of hybrid polymer cement. Then one might acid-stain the new canvas.

Skilled installers can create a wide range of effects using, brushes, sprayers, etc., or by creating patterns with plastic, sawdust, rags or other materials. The full depth of color may not become apparent until sealer is applied to the surface. Sealers range from basic solvent to water-based to urethanes and epoxies. Each have a list of critical factors to consider such as breathability (the ability to allow moisture in the slab to escape), durability, abrasion resistance, UV stability and finish look desired (as in matt finish or wet look). There are many options and a variety of looks, all with the benefits of concrete floors.

There are other applications as well that are gaining popularity, such as trowel down overlays to mimic slate and tile textures, and stamped overlays that give the realistic depth of slate,granite, brick and more.

So the point is...you no longer have to have boring gray concrete. You now have an exciting flooring option with Decorative Concrete Stains and Overlays.

Rick Smith is a local Decorative Concrete Overlay and Acid Stain installer with various factory authorized certifications from training he has attended over the last three years. He has 12 years experience in the flooring industry, with installation and restoration of hardwood, tile and vinyl.

If you truly want something unique or just want the benefits of a Decorative Concrete floor, give Rick a call at 770-634-7566 or visit the website at www.DecocreteServices.com/